Quick Bio
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Barbara Boothe |
| Known For | Former wife of Larry Ellison |
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Marital Status | Divorced (never remarried) |
| Ex‑Husband | Larry Ellison (married 1983 – divorced 1986) |
| Children | David Ellison, Megan Ellison |
| Education | Studied at Lincoln High School and Stanford University |
| Former Job | Receptionist at Relational Software Inc. (now Oracle) |
| Current Residence | Wilsonville, Oregon |
| Passion | Equestrian life, horse breeding |
| Notable Property | Wild Turkey Farm |
| Net Worth | Multi‑million (estimated) |
Barbara Boothe is known to many as the former wife of iconic tech billionaire Larry Ellison, the co‑founder of Oracle Corporation. But her story is far richer and more layered than just being “someone’s ex.” She is a woman whose life has been characterized by strength, intentional choices, deep commitment to family, and a deliberate choice to live a peaceful, rooted life away from the glare of public attention. Her life after divorce shows a fascinating journey of independence, maternal dedication, personal passion, and quiet influence.
Early Life and Background
Barbara Boothe was born in the United States, and while her exact birth date is not widely publicized, she is believed to be in her late 60s to early 70s today. She grew up away from fame and privilege, and her early life was marked by normal aspirations rather than celebrity ambitions. She attended Lincoln High School and later went on to study at Stanford University, one of the most respected institutions in the country. By all accounts, even at a young age she showed a curious and grounded personality, one that was interested in life beyond superficial success.
Her early career began humbly as a receptionist at Relational Software Inc., a small company that would later transform into Oracle. Working at this level, far from the world of glamour and celebrity, is where her path crossed with Larry Ellison, a driven entrepreneur who was already deeply focused on building his software empire. Their connection was not just a collision of personalities but a meeting of worlds — hers grounded and real, his ambitious and high‑flying.
How She Met Larry Ellison
Barbara’s relationship with Larry Ellison began in the early 1980s, when she was working as a receptionist at Relational Software Inc. The company was still young, and Larry was intensely focused on growing its reach and influence. Barbara’s role inside those early offices gave her a behind‑the‑scenes perspective on a company that would one day become a global powerhouse.
They became close, spending time talking, laughing, and eventually falling in love. While Larry’s life was already full of big ambitions and long hours, Barbara brought into it a sense of calm and balance. Their romance moved quickly from friendship to partnership, and in 1983 they made the choice to marry. That same year, their son David Ellison was born, marking a new chapter in both of their lives.
Their union was during a crucial time in Oracle’s growth, and although the pressures of rapid business success created an unpredictable environment, what stands out most from this period is Barbara’s choice to embrace family life even amid the chaos.
Marriage and Family Life
Barbara Boothe and Larry Ellison were married in 1983. From the beginning, Barbara focused heavily on family and creating a nurturing home. When David was born, she threw herself into motherhood with dedication. Three years later, in 1986, their daughter Megan Ellison arrived, expanding their little family further.
During these years, Larry’s business was booming. Oracle was on the brink of going public, and the relentless pace of Silicon Valley life was in full force. Despite this, Barbara chose to center her existence around the home, the children, and family stability. She wasn’t interested in being an oracle of Silicon Valley glamour or media attention. Her world was rooted in daily routines, caring for young children, building traditions, and giving her kids a sense of normalcy even when their father was becoming one of the most influential figures in tech.
Her approach was deeply intentional. While Larry was often busy with clients, meetings, expansion plans, and aggressive company goals, Barbara’s focus was immediate — creating a life that felt rooted, secure, and unshakably her own.
The Divorce and Life‑Shaping Decisions
The marriage lasted for about three years. In 1986, shortly after the birth of their daughter Megan, Barbara and Larry decided to end their marriage. The divorce was finalized that year.
It was a critical moment, not only because it separated her from a man whose business would go on to reshape computing around the world, but because it marked the beginning of Barbara’s decision to take control of her own life narrative. Rather than pursue wealth or fame, she chose peace and privacy. She stepped away from the public world that had surrounded Larry and decided to focus on raising her children in a grounded, stable environment.
Custody arrangements placed Barbara as the primary caregiver for David and Megan. This meant that from very early on, she took full responsibility for their upbringing, education, values, and perspective on life. She did not leverage her then‑famous ex‑husband’s name for personal advantage. Instead, she built a life that was defined by what mattered most to her — family, stability, emotional growth, and a deep sense of home.
Raising David and Megan Ellison
Barbara Boothe’s role as a mother is perhaps the most remarkable part of her legacy. While some might assume that the children of a tech billionaire would have grown up surrounded by tastemakers and glitz, Barbara made sure that their childhood was grounded in real experiences.
David and Megan grew up with routines, responsibilities, and simple pleasures. Barbara encouraged them to work for what they wanted, to think about life carefully, and to build their own paths. She held them to high standards — not as a way of being hard, but as a way of giving them a sense of self‑worth and autonomy. Even though their father could have showered them with luxury, Barbara made sure they understood the value of effort, discipline, and commitment.
As they grew older, both children gravitated towards the world of cinema and storytelling. David became a powerful figure in Hollywood, founding Skydance Media, which would go on to produce some of the biggest films in blockbuster cinema. Megan founded Annapurna Pictures, a production company known for bold and artistically daring films that have earned critical acclaim and awards. Neither forgot the grounding they received from their mother — the values of self‑discipline, heart, and creative focus. Their success in Hollywood stands as a testament not just to opportunity but to the upbringing they received.
Life After Divorce: Peace, Privacy, and Purpose
Barbara Boothe’s philosophy after her divorce was clear: she would define her own life. She did not seek fame, interviews, or attention. She kept her personal life truly personal. Her only presence in public stories became related to her children and her own quiet accomplishments.
One of her greatest personal passions was her love for horses and equestrian life. In the years after the divorce, she bought a large 200‑acre property in Wilsonville, Oregon that she transformed into Wild Turkey Farm. This was not just a ranch — it was her sanctuary. Designed around active horse breeding and training, the farm became known for its world‑class facilities, barns, training arenas, and breeding pastures. The farm represented a shift — from the corporate whirlwind of Silicon Valley to the life rhythms of nature, animals, and ongoing care.
She invested in the property carefully, not with an eye on headlines, but with an eye on building something she loved and could be proud of. Wild Turkey Farm became a hub of equestrian excellence, hosting horses, breeding programs, and training grounds. The farm was even listed for millions in later years, illustrating both its financial and personal value.
Throughout this period, Barbara stayed true to her values — privacy over publicity, family over fame, passion over pretense.
Legacy Beyond Labels
Barbara Boothe’s legacy is not defined by her brief marriage to one of the richest men in the world. It is defined by her choices, her resilience, and her commitment to creating a life filled with meaning and substance. She chose not to follow the path of media appearances or socialite events. She chose instead to build a home where her children could grow with strength and independence.
Her life shows that success is not always measured in headlines or wealth. Sometimes success means living intentionally with peace, raising children with values, and following your passions in a meaningful way.
Her story challenges common assumptions about what it means to be connected to wealth and power. While many might assume that a woman who was married to a billionaire would remain in that orbit, Barbara blanketed her life in something far deeper: a grounded, loving family, a connection to nature and horses, and a fiercely private identity that refused to be defined by anyone else.
She remains a quiet figure, rarely appearing in media, rarely speaking publicly, and not pursuing fame. But that doesn’t make her story any less powerful — in fact, it makes it more profound.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Who is Barbara Boothe?
Barbara Boothe is an American woman best known as the former wife of Oracle co‑founder Larry Ellison and the mother of producers David and Megan Ellison.
Was Barbara Boothe married to Larry Ellison?
Yes, they were married from 1983 until their divorce in 1986.
Did Barbara Boothe remarry after Larry Ellison?
No public records show that she remarried after her divorce. She focused on raising her children and building her own life.
How many children does Barbara Boothe have?
She has two children: David Ellison and Megan Ellison, both prominent film industry leaders.
What did Barbara Boothe do after the divorce?
She chose a private life, centered on family, personal passions like equestrian life, and raising her children away from the spotlight.
Where does Barbara Boothe live now?
She lives in a peaceful setting in Wilsonville, Oregon, where she developed a large horse farm called Wild Turkey Farm.
What is Barbara Boothe’s legacy?
Her legacy is rooted in her role as a loving, grounded mother, an independent woman with her own passions, and a person who chose privacy and intentional living over fame.